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Border Field State Park is on the very southwestern corner of the United States and 15 miles south of San Diego. Border Field is located within the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve, an important wildlife habitat. The sand dunes and salt marshes give refuge to critically threatened and endangered birds such as the Western Snowy Plover, the California Least Tern, and the Light-footed Clapper Rail.
The park provides restrooms, picnic areas, barbecues, horse corrals, and interpretive displays. Visitors enjoy surf fishing, beach combing, hiking, horseback riding, and bird watching. The Park does not recommend swimming or wading, due to hazardous conditions, such as inshore holes, rip currents, and the lack of lifeguard service within the Park.
The park also commemorates the site of the international border established by the 1848 treaty between the U.S and Mexico. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was concluded on February 2, 1848, officially ending the U.S./Mexico War. In 1850, delegations from both countries began surveying the boundary at this location and the border monument, number 258, can be viewed on top of Monument Mesa.
Park News Alert
Border Field Weekend Vehicle Access = CLOSED
Planning to go to Border Field State Park This Weekend? Check current entrance gate status, road and trail access, and other important information by clicking here to visit the Tijuana Estuary website.
Border Field Weekend Vehicle Access = CLOSED
Planning to go to Border Field State Park This Weekend? Check current entrance gate status, road and trail access, and other important information by clicking here to visit the Tijuana Estuary website.
Getting There
The park is located 15 miles south of San Diego. Latitude/Longitude: 32.5428 / -117.1214
From Interstate 5, there are two routes:
Exit Dairy Mart Road (exit #2)
Head Southwest on Dairy Mart Road. Dairy Mart Road will curve right onto Monument Road. Turn right (West) on Monument Road until you reach the park entrance.
OR (For Southbound traffic) Exit Coronado Avenue (exit #4) in Imperial Beach.
Go straight from the off-ramp onto Hollister Street. Continue down Hollister until you reach Monument Road. Turn right (West) on Monument Road until you reach the park entrance.
The entrance fee is $5.00 per vehicle.
The park is located 15 miles south of San Diego. Latitude/Longitude: 32.5428 / -117.1214
From Interstate 5, there are two routes:
Exit Dairy Mart Road (exit #2)
Head Southwest on Dairy Mart Road. Dairy Mart Road will curve right onto Monument Road. Turn right (West) on Monument Road until you reach the park entrance.
OR (For Southbound traffic) Exit Coronado Avenue (exit #4) in Imperial Beach.
Go straight from the off-ramp onto Hollister Street. Continue down Hollister until you reach Monument Road. Turn right (West) on Monument Road until you reach the park entrance.
The entrance fee is $5.00 per vehicle.
Operating Hours & Contact
The park is open daily from 9:30am to 5pm
Please note that the park is closed annually during the wet season, normally November through April.
Please call 619-575-3613 prior to making plans for arrival since safety conditions change at Border Field State Park.
The park is open daily from 9:30am to 5pm
Please note that the park is closed annually during the wet season, normally November through April.
Please call 619-575-3613 prior to making plans for arrival since safety conditions change at Border Field State Park.
Tips & Rules
Why is the Entrance Gate Closed? California State Parks is implementing service reductions in order to meet Department budget cuts this fiscal year. Service reductions implemented Fall 2009 through Spring 2010 include limiting vehicle access to the park; however, the park remains accessible to pedestrians, bicyclists, and equestrians. The park is closed to vehicle traffic most days during winter as rains cause flooding of park roads restricting access to Monument Mesa and other park features.
Wheelchair-confined persons may access portions of the park via the main road and an adjacent accessible path.
Pedestrians and Cyclists: The best way to reach Monument Mesa on foot is to park at the entrance gate lot, walk on the road and when the road turns, continue straight on the dirt path to the beach. When you reach the beach, head south until you reach the border and Monument Mesa. It is advised to stay out of any puddles.
Equestrians, please stage at the parking area at the entrance gate
to the park.
Dogs (only on leash) are allowed only atop the Monument Mesa picnic area.
No harassing or disturbing wild animals. This is prohibited by state and federal laws.
No collecting. Shells, rocks, wood, plants or animals. As a State Park, all features are protected. Please don't dig, collect, break or in anyway disturb the natural and historic features found in Border Field State Park. Help us save them for future generations to enjoy.
Why is the Entrance Gate Closed? California State Parks is implementing service reductions in order to meet Department budget cuts this fiscal year. Service reductions implemented Fall 2009 through Spring 2010 include limiting vehicle access to the park; however, the park remains accessible to pedestrians, bicyclists, and equestrians. The park is closed to vehicle traffic most days during winter as rains cause flooding of park roads restricting access to Monument Mesa and other park features.
Wheelchair-confined persons may access portions of the park via the main road and an adjacent accessible path.
Pedestrians and Cyclists: The best way to reach Monument Mesa on foot is to park at the entrance gate lot, walk on the road and when the road turns, continue straight on the dirt path to the beach. When you reach the beach, head south until you reach the border and Monument Mesa. It is advised to stay out of any puddles.
Equestrians, please stage at the parking area at the entrance gate
to the park.
Dogs (only on leash) are allowed only atop the Monument Mesa picnic area.
No harassing or disturbing wild animals. This is prohibited by state and federal laws.
No collecting. Shells, rocks, wood, plants or animals. As a State Park, all features are protected. Please don't dig, collect, break or in anyway disturb the natural and historic features found in Border Field State Park. Help us save them for future generations to enjoy.
Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center (Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve)
California State Parks also manages the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve. The Reserve is one of 27 reserves that are funded through a partnership between state governments and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The Reserve is recognized by the scientific community as a very important place. It is one of only 23 wetlands in the United States that has been designated by the International Ramsar Committee as a "wetland of international importance".
California State Parks manages the Reserve and Border Field State Park out of the Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center, at the north end of the estuary in Imperial Beach, California. State Parks works in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Southwest Wetlands Interpretive Association to conduct research, habitat restoration and education programs at the Visitor Center. The Visitor Center is open to the public Wednesday through Sunday, 10am - 5pm.
For more information about Border Field State Park and the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve, visit their website.
Directions to the Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center
The Visitor Center is located at 301 Caspian Way, Imperial Beach, California.
From Interstate 5
Exit Coronado Avenue (exit #4) in Imperial Beach.
Go west on Coronado Avenue (it will soon become Imperial Beach Blvd).
Turn left (south) on 3rd St and left on Caspian. The Visitor Center Parking lot will be on your right.
California State Parks also manages the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve. The Reserve is one of 27 reserves that are funded through a partnership between state governments and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The Reserve is recognized by the scientific community as a very important place. It is one of only 23 wetlands in the United States that has been designated by the International Ramsar Committee as a "wetland of international importance".
California State Parks manages the Reserve and Border Field State Park out of the Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center, at the north end of the estuary in Imperial Beach, California. State Parks works in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Southwest Wetlands Interpretive Association to conduct research, habitat restoration and education programs at the Visitor Center. The Visitor Center is open to the public Wednesday through Sunday, 10am - 5pm.
For more information about Border Field State Park and the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve, visit their website.
Directions to the Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center
The Visitor Center is located at 301 Caspian Way, Imperial Beach, California.
From Interstate 5
Exit Coronado Avenue (exit #4) in Imperial Beach.
Go west on Coronado Avenue (it will soon become Imperial Beach Blvd).
Turn left (south) on 3rd St and left on Caspian. The Visitor Center Parking lot will be on your right.
Accessible Features
The main park road may be occasionally closed to vehicles due to service reductions or flooding. People who use wheelchairs may access portions of the park via the main road and an adjacent accessible path.
The North McCoy Trail incorporates interpretive signage on a trail through a marsh setting that is accessible for 0.66 mile. Trailhead, restroom and designated accessible parking are available near park office on Caspian Drive in Imperial Beach.
The South McCoy Trail is a backcountry trail though a marsh setting that is accessible for about 0.75 mile. Trailhead is at the center of 5th Street and Iris Avenue, Imperial Beach. Parking is available at the end of Iris Avenue.
Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center: The exhibits are generally accessible, but assistance may be needed to operate some of the interactive exhibits. Park staff is available to help. The restroom permits front and side transfers and is generally accessible. Parking: There are two accessible parking spaces located at the visitor center, but some assistance may be needed at the curb ramp.
Be the first to add a trip in this destination!The main park road may be occasionally closed to vehicles due to service reductions or flooding. People who use wheelchairs may access portions of the park via the main road and an adjacent accessible path.
The North McCoy Trail incorporates interpretive signage on a trail through a marsh setting that is accessible for 0.66 mile. Trailhead, restroom and designated accessible parking are available near park office on Caspian Drive in Imperial Beach.
The South McCoy Trail is a backcountry trail though a marsh setting that is accessible for about 0.75 mile. Trailhead is at the center of 5th Street and Iris Avenue, Imperial Beach. Parking is available at the end of Iris Avenue.
Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center: The exhibits are generally accessible, but assistance may be needed to operate some of the interactive exhibits. Park staff is available to help. The restroom permits front and side transfers and is generally accessible. Parking: There are two accessible parking spaces located at the visitor center, but some assistance may be needed at the curb ramp.
Nearby Community Trips
Right next to the border. Border field state park. When you park go up the big hill and switchback on your left. Loop that around but don't go on the paved road next to the fence. Border patrol will stop you. Go back on the road and follow that to the beach. The gate will be open on weekends for cars. Bikes can go through anytime
Length: 9.4 km Duration: 2 hours, 19 minutes, 59 secondsVertical up: 433.1 mVertical down: 514.8 mAverage Speed: 4.0 km/h
